Cranial Arteritis -A serious disease characterised by inflammation of the walls
of the blood vessels (vasculitis). Cranial arteritis can lead to blindness and -
or stroke.
Also known as:
Temporal Arteritis.
Giant Cell Arteritis.
The temporal artery is commonly affected, often resulting in temporal-lobe headaches.
Other commonly affected vessels include the ophthalmic, posterior ciliary, and, to
a lesser extent, the central retinal artery. Inflammation in these locations can
cause irreversible visual impairment and ischemic optic neuritis.
Affects women more frequently than men, at a ratio of about 3:1.
The disorder may coexist with other conditions such as:
Polymyalgia Rheumatica.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Severe Infections.
Smoking increases the Temporal Arteritis risk 6 fold.
Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). the rate at which red blood cells
precipitate in a period of 1 hour. It is a common haematology test that is a non-specific
measure of inflammation.
Visual disturbances may occur, such as:
Diplopia.
Blurred vision.
Amaurosis fugax.
Blindness in either one eye or both eyes.
Polymyalgia rheumatica may develop either before or after the arteritis.
